SPECIAL NOTES FROM EDITOR (by Tedd/KB8NW)
Major failure to my BARF80
Linux system happend this past week and items for the bulletin were
lost. If you had an announcement that did not make it to print, PLEASE
resend it. Current status of BARF80 is DEAD. However, thanks to my ISP
(hamnet.org) I am still able to retrieve my mail and send the bulletin
out (until a new Linux system can be found or put together). Hopefully,
things will get back to normal soon.

Lastly, OPDX's Chief Proof-Reader, Linda my wife, will be going
under the knife Monday to have her gall bladder removed. Please say
a small prayer for her and hope for no complications during her
procedure. I do not know what I would do without her. Get well
messages can be sent after Monday at: lmsm54@hotmail.com

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
First Worry Later" (WFWL).

5Z, KENYA
Valery, RW1AU, is now active as 5Z4/RW1AU from the 5Z4RS club
station in Nairobi for the next several months. He is there on work
assignment so his activity will be limited to his spare time. Activity
this past week has been on 20 meters SSB. He is expected to operate CW
once he finds a keyer. QSL via K5XK: Ron Evans, 2 Pembroke Drive,
Bella Vista, AR 72715-8823.

9L, SIERRA LEONE
Dr. Karl-Heinz Ilg, DK2WV, will once again be active
from here this time with a team of operators. Karl informs OPDX that in
June this year, during his stay in Sierra Leone, he not only operated as
9L0W, but had the honor of speaking to the President of the University
of Freetown. He was asked if he (and others) could conduct a course in
Amateur Radio. In October and November this year Karl and his team will
volunteer to help in the planning of the technical promotion and conduct
training courses for those who are interested in Amateur Radio. Further-
more, Karl will also present the university with materials and radio
equipment.

All training and activity is plannned to take place in the
time frame of October 21st to November 11th, 2008. They expect to operate
during this time under the same callsign, 9L0W. The German participants
mentioned are Roland/DJ4LK, Franz/DJ9ZB, Karl/DK2WV, Hans/DL1YFF and
one 9L1 national. All participants have a solid background of several
successful DXpeditions. Activity will be on 160-6 meters. They are
planning to operate with up to 3 stations, with amplifiers and different
antennas. The antennas are Spiderbeams and for the low-bands phased
arrays, K9AY loops and/or beverages are planned as low-band receiving
antennas. QSL via DK2WV, direct (SASE w/sufficient funds to cover the
postage) or by the bureau. E-mail requests will be sent via bureau,
including those arrived without adequate funds. The 9L0W team is looking
for sponsors to help cover the high costs of nearly 14,000 USDs for this
operation in addition to the air fares of the participants. They are
depending on donations from DX organizations. If you have any questions,
please send them via E-mail to: k.ilg@arcor.de

BT1, CHINA (Special Event Stations Still Active!)
The five special event
stations continue to be active during the 2008 Beijing Olympics through
September 17th. Each of the five different callsigns represent one of the
5 Olympic Games ring symbols: BT1OB for Beibei (blue), BT1OJ for Jingjing
(black), BT1OH for Huanhuan (red), BT1OY for Yingying (yellow) and BT1ON
for Nini (green). Activity will be on 160-10 meters using SSB, CW, and
RTTY. The contacts can be used to apply for a "Beijing Olympics Award".
Also look for operations on SSTV, PSK, the satellites, EME, and possibly
other modes. Contacts using these modes will not be valid for the award.
The QSL Manager for these special event stations is BA4EG, by the Bureau or
direct. QSL cards will be sent out starting October 2008. A Web site is
now active with news updates, station setup, logs, award info and QSL
status, at

DXCC NEWS (DXCC YEARBOOK)
The ARRL Letter reports: "DXCC Yearbook Includes
Corrected DXCC Honor Roll: According to DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L,
the 2007 Honor Roll list published in the August 2008 issue of QST was
inadvertently produced from a 'corrupted report feature' in the DXCC
software. 'Since the DXCC Honor Roll report is too large for a line-by-line
review, random samplings [of the list] were checked and many [listings]
were found to be okay,' Moore said. 'It was not until the complete report
was published that we found the report had more errors than originally
thought. Publishing a simple correction in an upcoming issue of QST is
not possible.

We have expanded the 2007 DXCC Yearbook to accommodate a
complete reprint of the 2007 Honor Roll list. This is something many of
you have suggested in previous years. The 2007 Honor Roll list will also
be published on the DXCC Web site and this list will be separate from the
current 'live' online Honor Roll list.

We regret any inconvenience caused
by this and we appreciate your patience and understanding.' The 2007 DXCC
Yearbook is the largest ever, with an additional 16 pages, and features
articles about the year's DXing activities, the Clinton B. DeSoto Cup
and DXCC Challenge standings. The DXCC Yearbook is mailed free to all
ARRL members who have submitted a DXCC application between January 1 and
December 31 of the prior year or are current on the DXCC Honor Roll.
Copies are also available for 5 USDs plus postage. To get your issue,
please send an E-mail to the ARRL DXCC desk dxcc@arrl.org."

ED7, SPAIN (IARU VHF Contest Op)
Members of the Group Amateur Radio
RASE Dx will be participating in the IARU VHF Contest (REG1) as ED7URD
from September 6-7th. They will be transmitting from the Sierra Filabres
(2.168m, Locator IM87), Almeria, Spain. In addition to their activity in
the IARU VHF Contest, they will have two stations to put into the air
on 50 MHz, as well as various tests on 1200 MHz using the callsign
EA7URD/P. The team will consist of Jesus/EB7BMV, Jose/EB7COL, Manolo/
EA7IHV and Jose/EC7DND. QSL via EA7URD, by the bureau or direct. Photos,
log and details of the operation will be on the Web at:

HC5, ECUADOR (Update/Change)
Operators Hiro/JA6WFM, Nobuo/JA6GCE,
Morita/JA6SOV and Naomi/JM6EBU will be active as HC5WW (not HD2A as
previously announced) during the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th),
as a Multi-Single entry. QSL direct only to JA6VU.

IOTA NEWSAS-083. Vasily, RA9LI/9, is now active from meteorological station
in the Arctic Ocean on Belyy Island (RRA RR-06-04, RDA YN-14)
for an unknown length of time. He was heard on 14166 kHz this
past week between 1530-1830z. This is valid for the Arctic
Challenge Award. QSL via UA9LP.

EU-016. Tom, 9A2AA, is now active as 9A73AA/p from Korcula Island for
about the next two weeks. Activity has been on 20 meters SSB
and 40 meters CW. He is also expected to activate other nearby
islands as 9A2AA/p. QSL via his home callsign, direct or by
the bureau.

EU-017. Marco, IZ3GNG, will be active as ID9/IZ3GNG from Lipari Island
(IIA ME-001, MIA MI-053, WLOTA LH-1144), August 20-22nd. QSL
via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

EU-088. Bernd, DL8AAV, will be active as OZ/DL8AAV/p from Laeso Island
(NK-003 for the Danish Islands Award), September 16-27th. QSL
via his home callsign, direct or by the bureau.

EU-090. Operators Simon/IZ7ATN and Alessio/IZ0CKJ are now active as
9A/homecall/p from the Vela Palagruza on Palagruza Islands
between now and August 23rd. Activity will be from the light-
house there. Operations over the past weekend were on 20 meters
SSB. They are expected to activate nearby islands (such as
Galijula and Mala Palagruza). QSL via their home callsigns.

EU-127. Operators Karl/DJ5KK, Thorsten/DG7TG and Wolf/DK3KD will be
active as DA0HEL from Helgoland Island (N-14 for the German
Islands Award, WLOTA LH-0518), September 6-8th. They will be
taking part in the IARU VHF Contest on 2 meters CW/SSB. Look
for them outside of the contest on the HF bands. QSL via the
DARC Bureau.

KP2, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS (NA-106)
Jaime, WP3A, will be active as KP2B
from St. Croix, after August 20th. Activity will be on 40/20/15/10
meters CW, with some SSB on 15/10 meters. Look for him on 40 meters
after 0400z and after 1100z on the other bands. He also plans to be
active in both the CQWW DX SSB Contest (October 25-26th) and CQWW DX
SSB Contest (November 29-30th) as a Single-Op/All-Band entry. QSL direct
to EA7FTR.

KP5, DESECHEO (In Case You Missed It!)
Over the past few weeks there has
been speculation of an upcoming operation to Descheo Island (KP5) to take
place in November. This bulletin is to provide the DX community with the
actual facts on what has been going on and what will possibly happen.

Several DX publications were notified about two months ago that the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) had decided to allow
certain amateur radio operators who have made an inquiry about operating
from Desecheo in the recent past an opportunity to submit a proposal
(approximately 20 individuals). OPDX and others were told to NOT publish
anything in fear of jeopardizing the process. As of this time, "NO ONE"
has been selected to operate from KP5. The following information was
provided by an "informed source" to bring everyone up-to-date and explain
what events took place:

"There is a tentative agreement to facilitate access to the Desecheo
Island National Wildlife Refuge by Amateur Radio operators in conjunction
with future USFWS management activities in the refuge. The plan would
allow Amateur Radio activation of Desecheo for up to 14 days under strict
guidelines and close USFWS supervision.

USFWS expects to grant a Special Use Permit (SUP) for amateur radio
operations to one group selected from among large number of prior
applicants. These applicants have recently been contacted by the agency
and provided a number of stringent requirements that must be met. They
were told that if they are still interested in operating from Desecheo
they had 45 days to submit a proposal. The letter was dated June 30, 2008,
with an August 14th deadline. The final selection will be made based upon
which proposal best satisfies USFWS requirements. The timing of this
operation is still uncertain but is likely to be in the September through
December 2008 time frame. The actual dates of the operation are dependent
on a number of variables, but the team and Dxers should have a minimum
of 30 days notice.

We are not sure, but we believe as many as a dozen proposals have been
submitted. Apparently, the final selection will be made by a three person
panel. Continue to remain patient as the selection process proceeds.
Apparently, Dxers worldwide can look forward to the first USFWS-authorized
activation of Desecheo Island in many years."

ADDED NOTE: Last good operation took place in December 2005, which was
a short DXpedition by Kam Sirageldin/N3KS and Dave Collingham/K3LP as
KP5/N3KS and KP5/K3LP.

M, ENGLAND (EU-005)
Nilay Mine/TA3YJ and Berkin/TA3J will be active as
M/TA3YJ and M/TA3J from London between September 10-17th. QSL via TA3YJ
QSL Service

QSL INFO AND NEWSNOT THE QSL MANAGER. Nilay, TA3YJ, reports that she is NOT the QSL
Manager for 6W1SJ, TB0DX and TG9NX.

QSL STATUS FOR S21XF, 9N7YJ, MI0YJR, ST2YJ, JW5YJ, XU7ACW. Hugo, LA5YJ,
informs OPDX readers of the following: "The cards for the S21XF operation
is on its way, should arrive within a day or two, and will be dealt with
accordingly. The log is available on:

Cards for ST2YJ still go to LA4YW, all others to LA5YJ. I have just
finished all bureau cards for 9N7YJ and XU7ACW, unfortunately late,
because of my work in different countries, among that a year in Pakistan.
Things have a tendency to pileup on you, and the fact that it's all paper
logs didn't make it any better. Important! Please note that I will close
the logs for 9N7YJ as per 31st of December 2008. If you need a card
from this operation I kindly ask you to send this directly to me.

Remember, SAE and one IRC or equivalent. If you have sent a card via
the bureau please do not send any cards again; they have all been replied
to. Thank you all for your cooperation.....
Kind regards, LA5YJ Hugo B. Ark, (Rute 509, N-1766 HALDEN, Norway)"

QSLS VIA LOTW: FH1LE and TF/DL3PS

QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: C91OK

QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: None reported this week!

TN, CONGO
Nicolas, F8FQX, will be in Brazzaville for the next 3-4 years
starting on August 20th. His activity will probably not start until late
October or early November. Nicolas has applied for a callsign and is
hoping to receive TN5SN. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW, SSB,
RTTY and PSK31. QSL via IZ1BZV. Look for updates and a log search on:

TO4G, GLORIOSOS
Didier, F5OGL, Gloriosos 2008 team leader, announced on
August 13th, that he wanted to stop the spreading of "numerous rumors" by
non authorized hams about the dates of the next Gloriosos 2008 DXpedition.
He states, that on the island, the anti-cyclonics shelters building are
nearly finished and the French Army sovereignty personels and the return
of the building workers will take place at the end of this month.

At the
beginning of September, after the last checkings on the installations,
especially the electrical work, all the heavy building gear will be
evacuated from the island. Didier states that he is "in very close contact
with the military authorities of the French Forces for the South zone"
in the Indian Ocean.

He has also met the new HQ Chief Warrant Officer
before he started his new 3 year assignment in the zone. He assured
Didier of "support and help for this expedition". The only problem they
have is local logistic, especially the dates for the use of military
planes flights and boat departures. He assures that all the necessary
authorizations are in hand. Didier states, "Believe us about our will
to do a most perfect as possible DXpedition to the Glorioso. For that,
safety first is our goal."

All operators are personels of the French
Military Defense, and they all have professional assignments which has
priority over all, including the DXpedition. No civilian operators are
allowed in the crew. Currently there are NO fixed dates for this operation,
but Didier is doing his best to lead a DXpedition to Gloriosos before the
end of this year. He also states, "It must be said that without all
combined elements gathered, I prefer postponing the operations as often
as it will be necessary. I continue to work hard to put the Gloriosos on
the air and know that's not very easy..... 73's de Didier, F5OGL"

V4, ST. KITTS (NA-104)
Dave, AH6HY, will be active as V4/AH6HY between
September 26th to October 3rd. Activity is planned for 40-10 meters SSB
only. QSL via his home callsign.

VK9, WILLIS ISLAND (Update)
Excerpts from the VK9DWX Web site state that
the DX team has been busy last week testing all antennas and getting nearly
everything ready to ship. Dale, VK4DMC, got all their tents and also tested
them. So they are ready to be built on Willis Island City. All the heavy
items and Peli Cases were brought together in Goch at the location of DR1A
where a workshop was set up. On a 5-day-weekend, Markus/DJ7EO, Jorg/DL8WPX,
Dieter/DL8OH and Chris/DL1MGB put all the material into boxes, cases and
tubes, labeled them and prepared the shipping documents. The week after
the material was transported to the harbor of Hamburg where it is now
waiting for being shipped to Australia. In total they packed 29 cases,
boxes and tubes with a total weight of over 1,300kg. This included the
following main items:

5 ACOM1000 amplifiers
Over 1000m of coax cable
Nearly 300m of power cable
All antennas
Power distributions
Tools
Most parts of the station equipment...

Transceivers, notebooks and MK2s will be carried on the flight baggage
as they have to be tested in advance in Germany for proper interaction.
The VK9DWX team now offers a "Newsletter" via E-mail. It will inform you
about the latest news available about their DXpedition. The only thing
you have to do is subscribe via their Web page (in the News section) at:

YO DX HF CONTEST
Ovidiu, YO2DFA, informs that the Romanian Amateur Radio
Federation (FRR) is inviting all radio amateurs all over the world to
participate in the annual YO DX HF Contest, August 30-31st (from 1200-
1200z). Rules can be found on the following Web page at:

All the participants who will fulfill the necessary requirements during
the contest (worked 10 members) will receive free a WORKED YO DX CLUB
MEMBERS Award. The complete list of YO DX CLUB members can be found at:

ZD9, TRISTAN DA CUNHA ISLAND (Update/Possible Change Of Plans!)
The QSL
Manager W0MM reports that Tom's, ZD7X (KC0W), last day on St. Helena was
August 11th. Since September 2007, Tom made over 45,000 QSOs on the HF
bands. Tom was expected to go to Tristan da Cunha after St. Helena (see
OPDX.854), however, it seems "there is a 90% chance of no Tristan right
now". Reasons were not given, but reportedly there is "bunch of reasons!".
If ZD9 does not happen, Tom is planning to go to Qatar (A7) and will
apply for a licence there. If A7 does not work out, he will then head
to Asia. Stay tuned!

ZP, PARAGUAY
Operators Jan/DL7UFN and Rolf/DL7VEE will be active as
ZP6/homecall from Tom's ZP5AZL/ZP0R station, September 4-14th. Activity
will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and some PSK. QSL via his
home callsign.

ZS8, MARION ISLANDS
There is still no activity reported. For updates
and the first offical announcement of ZS8T being on the air, please
visit the official ZS8T Web site at: